Dozens of business owners and community leaders gathered in a conference room just off Chardon Square on Saturday to create a vision for the future of the square and the Historic District.

The brainstorming session, called a design charrette, kicked off about 9 a.m. with a tour around the square. The rest of the gathering, which was set to end at 3 p.m., was filled with breakout sessions, a working lunch and group presentations.

Ted Theofrastous, chairman of the group Chardon Tomorrow, which helped organize the meeting, said they hope to establish a vision of what's possible. "We brought in outside experience to help us validate our ideas and guide us," Theofrastous said.

The meeting was led by the Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative, which has conducted similar meetings in Cleveland, North Royalton and Lorain.

The breakout sessions each covered a specific issue, including accessibility of the area and developing the square.

After the sessions, the smaller groups reconvened and presented their ideas.

Susan Swartzwelder, president of The OPS Network, and her group suggested closing down car traffic on Short Court Street, which separates the two green spaces that make up the square, and installing benches and possibly motorcycle and bicycle parking.

"We felt that could be another opportunity to bring people in," Swartzwelder said.

Andrew Blackley, chairman of Chardon Tomorrow's design committee, also suggested closing down Short Court Street to make way for a fountain or an ice skating rink.

Another idea his group discussed was installing an kiosk on the square that would feature digital screens and other information.

"It would show whatever information the city would want people to know about or to allow visitors to get some maps of the area identifying the local businesses," Blackley said.

Other brainstormed ideas included bringing residential units to the square and adding more attractions for younger people, while still keeping the small-town feel that Chardon is known for.

After looking at the results of the day and deciding what were the most promising ideas, the group will present its findings to the Chardon City Council, Theofrastous said.

"If we get it right, it could be a plan for the next 20 or 30 years," he said.